12 reasons I’m glad my son will be growing up in Ethiopia

Hey guys! I’m back. And I’m now a father

For those of you who aren’t parents yet, it’s a wonderful feeling unlike any other. But the thought of being a first-time parent can be rather frightening. You wonder if you’ll be a good parent. You wonder if you’ll have enough to provide well for a family. You wonder how on earth you’re going to explain the vastness of space to a little boy. You wonder if you’ll instil great values in him and raise a gentleman.

As all these thoughts scrambled through my brain, I realised that there were many things about my situation that made the thought of being a parent much less frightening. Several of them have to do with the fact that our son will be growing up in Ethiopia. I’m not saying Ethiopia is Utopia, but some things – most of which I consider more valuable than comfort and riches – are just easier to find here.

So for your reading pleasure, I’ve compiled my little list of reasons why I’m totally thrilled that my son will be growing up here.

1. No guns in school

I know that guns aren’t the norm in every school around the world, but the fact that it’s unheard of here in Ethiopia gives me a certain measure of peace. Based on my experience of school in Addis, I trust and hope that my son will make some great lifelong friends, build some memories to cherish, and most importantly, stay away from violent crime.

2. Friendly friends

One of the nicest things about living here is the friends you make. These wonderful people just don’t say hello, they invite you home for lunch, ask you how they can help, bring food home when you’re sick and always have time for coffee and a good conversation. It doesn’t matter what country they’re from either. I think the Addis air has something to do with this. My son is sure to make some wonderful friends growing up here.

3. Friendly neighbours

My wife, before we got married, lived in the same apartment in Piassa from the day she was born. Her neighbours are like family to her. I’ve moved around a bit so I never built such a close relationship with my neighbours, but even at our new place, our neighbour was kind enough to offer us water when our pipes weren’t working, her maid offered to take out our trash before we found a maid, and her young son ran up the stairs to inform me that some of the more adventurous little kids in the area had toppled the bike over. And this was even before we’d been there for a month. As the good book says, “…better a neighbour nearby than a brother far away.”

4. Kidnappers are scarce

Kidnappings do occur, especially of young women and girls in rural areas. But that culture is dying out as education is informing young men that there are better ways to ask for a young lady’s hand in marriage. Kidnapping for the sake of ransom however, are a pretty rare occurrence and that my friends, makes me happy my son is growing up here.

5. Friendly family

Right after our son was born, members of our family pulled together to help. A sheep was bought and slaughtered, gifts poured in and delicious home-cooked food was brought for us (it was actually for my wife but I couldn’t resist). Clothes were bought, help was offered and everything was basically taken care of. In fact, we’ve only bought two things for our baby so far – a can of formula and some diapers. Raising a son around a wonderfully caring family can only be good.

6. Time to talk

It’s not as laid back as it once was, but life in Addis is still not as busy and rushed as life in other major cities around the globe. There’s something refreshing about an unhurried conversation and I’m looking forward to many of them with my son.

7. Places to walk

My most cherished memories of my father involve the times we used to walk together. We would walk around Piassa and window-shop together, we would take long walks on Saturday and talk about everything under the sun, we would walk up Churchill road after church on Sunday and see if we could make it up faster than the last time… Addis streets are getting a bit crowded these days, but there are still plenty of nice places to go out and walk. The still pleasant climate is a great plus too. I’m hoping I’ll get to take some great walks with my son myself.

8. Languages to learn

I’m really bad at learning new languages. The only reason I speak three is because I grew up here. Raising a son in an environment with people who speak different languages can have only one end result – a multilinguistic son

9. Good values

There are some very nice values shared by the majority of people here. There is a scarcity of violence, an abundance of friendliness and plenty of other small things like respect for the elderly, hospitality to visitors, a love of stories, and a major compassionate streak.

10. A wonderful church

This is a big plus for me. Church was vital for me when I grew up and the values I’ve learnt from there have helped me a lot. I’m glad we have an excellent and caring church family to lean on. I’m sure it will help our son learn important principles and values that will be a source of strength all through his life.

11. A mix of cultures

Growing up in a city like Addis exposes you to many different peoples and cultures. This can open your eyes unlike anything else. I’m sure it will help our son appreciate cultural differences and values and understand the beauty of being different.

12. Friendly strangers

Last year, our whole family went to the exhibition centre to have a look around and my two nephews disappeared. After a frantic couple of hours looking for them in a packed crowd, we found out that they had thought we were heading home and had walked off by themselves. Along the way, a total stranger had found them walking towards Piassa, asked them what they were up to, and given them money to take a taxi home. I’m not saying every stranger in the world is hostile, but I am saying that in Ethiopia, most people have the tendency to reach out and help, total stranger or not.

So parents, if you have other thoughts about what makes raising a child in Ethiopia a good thing (or not), drop off a comment. Non-parents too No discrimination on this blog!

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